Bootcamp results...

So, I finished a four week bootcamp, and I figured I'd share my results just so that those future bootcampers out there have something to look forward to.

I must say, my results were encouraging and somewhat deflating at the same time. I definately got stronger, and totally kicked my initial times out of the park as far as the fitness tests go. I wasn't as happy about my measures, as I did want to see some results, but I guess we can't have it all.


note: I do lady pushups. I'm no where near doing a full pushup.

For my measurements, I'm not going to post my sizes, as I know I might actually get slapped if I do that (haha). I did stay the same in several areas, but my abs got bigger by 1/4" (I'm not sure if its because my eating habits have not been the greatest, or if its because I'm getting some muscle), my hips/gluts lost 1/2" and my thighs lost 1/4".

Thank-you Brenda-lee. Survivor Bootcamp Abbotsford rocks.

Lets go for a hike.

I convinced my family to go for a hike up Tea Pot Hill last weekend. It was actually convincing my husband, as Chelsea has climbed the "hill" several times. I did tell Depak that there were some easier parts and some harder parts to the hike, but after several minutes into it, he wasn't so convinced. We did make it all the way up, and down, but boy were we sweaty at the end. I think we should hike up the hill regularily, but I'm still working on Depak.


Taking a quick water break.

This leaf looks like its floating, but it was actually caught in a spider web. It was pretty neat.

We made it to the top. Such a beautiful view.

Daddy gets Natalie on the way down.

What happened to...

... your face.

It was a nice day out yesterday, so I decided to take Nat to the park. Now that she can enjoy some of the play structures and swings, it's fun going to play with her. Well, mommy wasn't watching very closely, and Nat hit her face on one of the structures (mommy was actually trying to take a picture, shhhh, don't tell anyone). So, as a result, she got a booboo on her chin. It looks worse today than this picture yesterday, but it has to get worse before it can get better, right?

Here she is enjoying the rest of the park. Mommy didn't spoil it completely.

... your hair.

Another event that took place yesterday was the donating of Chelsea's hair. Well, to be able to donate it, you have to cut off at least 8", so now Chelsea has this super cute bob of a hair cut. I love it, she looks so mature. But with every major change comes the insecurity of it, and this morning Chelsea asked over and over if it looked good. She even did a slow 360 degree turn asking if it look good at every angle. Ahhh, another example of how she's nearly a teen. Hopefully we'll be able to do a good job of making her feel secure about her self image and who she is in Christ.

You look great Chelsea.

When she says pyramid, say no thanks...

I started Bootcamp a couple of weeks ago, and I'm really enjoying the workout. Everyone says I don't need it, and to clarify, I'm not out to loose a tonne of pounds, I would just like to get into shape. I will not lie, I'd love to loose a few, but my main goal is getting in shape and feeling better about myself.

Brenda-lee is awesome; she's our instructor. She's so bubbly and fun. I expected someone with a tough demeanor, but man, the little lady in red sure knows how to push you.

Yesterday I did what Brenda called a pyramid. Oh my goodness, ouch!!! I did 10 pushups on the top bar by the bleachers, then 10 on the bottom bar, and 5 triceps (holding onto the lower bar in a sitting position, you lower yourself and push back up). Doesn't sound too bad. Well, the pyramid part is when you count down to 1, so 10-10-5, 9-9-5... all the way to 1-1-5. My arms felt like jello.

After this, we got to run the field, and do more pushups, I think another 50 of them. Oh my goodness, and I don't have any upper body strength to begin with. Every time I had to get on the grass, I didn't know if I'd make it back up.

But I love Bootcamp, I really do. Anyone want to join up with me? I'm continuing on from September 15 for another 4 weeks.

For more info, check out their site at http://www.survivorbootcamp.com/.

Summer Wedding

It's been a busy summer with all the wedding festivities that have taken place surrounding Parveen & BJ's wedding, as I've shared with a lot of my friends and family. Here are a couple of pictures that were taken in some of the festivities.

Cheslea and Stephanie at the Maiyan and Juggo on the Friday night. Everyone commented on how they looked so much like sisters. Beautiful girls.
Family photo just before the wedding. Natalie's pose was priceless. She's cheering already.
My gorgeous matching girls. Mom and Gurpreet did an excellent job finding these outfits in India.
The lovely couple at the Temple. They look so beautiful.
I'm not sure why this picture is so small. Anyway, Gurpreet did a great job of getting us matching, yet unique, suits for the wedding.Natalie and dad at the wedding. She was great, Lois got her to fall asleep in her lap, which is virtually unheard of.

This was taken after they got married. They look so happy.

The throwing of the rose petals. They had us all line up and throw the rose petals as they came down the stairs. Makes for good photography.
My beautiful family. This was our evening look. I do love the fact that you wear so many different outfits to Indian weddings, and I'm glad I have a sister-in-law that made us look so good all week.

Parveen and BJ cutting the cake, which was made by Hank (it tasted awesome, he did our wedding cake also). BJ's outfit was stunning for the reception. The entire reception was beautiful.

Chelsea and Dad still smiling at the end of a long day (long week). This is such a nice photo of the two of them.

This trip down motherhood, again...

When I was pregnant with Chelsea, I had a strong feeling that I'd have a girl, and I was right. With this last pregnancy, I was so sure we were having a boy, and we had a boys name picked out. We really struggled with coming up with a girl's name, but a week before our due date we finally settled on two. So when the doctor told us it was a girl, I was shocked. It was not what I expected. Out came this bright eyed, rather large little girl, Natalie. So started Natalie's journey, and mine.

I was expecting this new motherhood to be simple, as it seemed so simple when Chelsea was young. Natalie, though, has an ability to consume all of your energy, and I'm eleven years older so I have a lot less to give. I was exhausted, which lasted for the first six months. Not thoroughly drained, just unable to feel like I had enough energy to do as much as I really wanted to. I had plans for my year of maternity leave, I wanted to be one of those crafty efficient moms who plans play dates and has other moms over. I could barely get enough energy to clean my house, let alone entertain much. I would look at other bright and cheery moms and wonder how do they do it?

Now, Natalie can move, and I'm either moving stuff out of her way, or moving her from where she shouldn't go. I've got this little one in my sight at all times. She discovered she can climb stairs, so I think I need to buy a gate. This new energy that I need to give is more mobile, so maybe I'll get into shape, but its a constant state of being on the lookout. Nothing is safe. Now I have to plan my cleaning up around Natalie's napping or Chelsea's free time (Chelsea is the BIGGEST helper ever, and she's available to babysit now too - for those that are interested).

I guess it was my expectation that motherhood would be easy that is letting me down. Expectations are my downfall; they keep me from fully enjoying life. Maybe someday I'll learn to give up my expectations and just enjoy what comes my way. For as much energy that it takes to care for Natalie, when she looks at you and smiles, everything that I've gone through is worth it. I've been blessed with a second daughter.

Motherhood, again; not exactly what I expected. But I trust that the Lord will bless me with more unexpected moments, as they are the treasures in my life.

Here is a little of Natalie... (I couldn't figure out how to upload a slideshow from Picasa, so a collage it is).

"I'm turning 13 next year..."

This is Chelsea's new thing, she's going to be 13 next year (she has yet to turn 12 though, she's getting a little ahead of herself). Wow, I cannot believe my baby will be a teenager before we know it. She insists that she's no longer my baby, especially since Natalie's come, but as Robert Munsch states...

"I'll love you forever

I'll like you for always

As long as I'm living

My baby you'll be"

My last post I mentioned a lot of accomplishments over the past 10 years. Well, the major inspiration for these was Chelsea. Circumstances had that I was a young mom, but this was the major driving factor in all that has happened since she's been born. I was truely blessed by God the day Chelsea came into my life. He gave me a reason to hope, a reason to live. Chelsea, I love you, forever!

Here are a few pix of Chelsea over the last few years. I've only been digital for 2 years, I could pull out the many albums of her, but I think that's a bit much. Enjoy.

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